Padilla, the so-called Dirty Bomber, was convicted today of Supporting Terrorism. Check it out here.
Lots of interesting things with this case. For instance, the government dropped it's original charges, because had they continued in pressing them, they'd have to discuss the interrogation methods used on Padilla, which would probably resulted in him being acquired. Additionally, some higher-up (I forgot who) was arguing that if Padilla received due process, it would hurt their efforts with him because their entire interrogation strategy was based on him knowing that he was disappeared and that no one was going to help him. I'll have to track down that quote, but it's a doozy.
Finally, think about this: he was convicted and is facing life imprisonment. Padilla, if he actually is a terrorist, is out of circulation for the rest of his life. And the government did this through the courts, using our legal system. Their bullshit rationale about stripping away legal protections and using extra-legal means is rendered moot. We used the court system and the "good guys" won.
Lots of interesting things with this case. For instance, the government dropped it's original charges, because had they continued in pressing them, they'd have to discuss the interrogation methods used on Padilla, which would probably resulted in him being acquired. Additionally, some higher-up (I forgot who) was arguing that if Padilla received due process, it would hurt their efforts with him because their entire interrogation strategy was based on him knowing that he was disappeared and that no one was going to help him. I'll have to track down that quote, but it's a doozy.
Finally, think about this: he was convicted and is facing life imprisonment. Padilla, if he actually is a terrorist, is out of circulation for the rest of his life. And the government did this through the courts, using our legal system. Their bullshit rationale about stripping away legal protections and using extra-legal means is rendered moot. We used the court system and the "good guys" won.
